Howard County Bird Club
Directions to Howard County Birding Spots
Each location is a link to a Google map. Parking and access is usually shown on the map.
Alpha Ridge Park
On MD 99 (Old Frederick Road) 0.8 miles west of Marriottsville Road. More information in Alpha Ridge Park Site Guide.
Annapolis Rock Road
Horse trailer parking lot has been permanently closed (per Google Maps).
Avalon/Orange Grove
Part of Patapsco Valley State Park; access is from Baltimore County on US 1 north of the Howard County line (Patapsco River). More information in Avalon/Orange Grove Site Guide.
Belmont Manor & Historic Park
On Belmont Woods Road. Generally closed to public, but open to birders with restrictions.
Big Branch Recreational Area
Off Triadelphia Mill Road. More information in Big Branch Site Guide.
Bon Secours Spiritual Center
On Marriottsville Road). Notify the office you are visiting.
Brighton Dam
On Brighton Dam Road between Montgomery County and Howard County. More information in Brighton Dam Site Guide.
Browns Bridge Road
Browns Bridge Road parking lots between Montgomery County and Howard County. More information in Browns Bridge Site Guide.
Cedar Lane Park
Cedar Lane Park is off Cedar Lane. Cedar Lane Park East is off MD 108 (Clarksville Pike). More information in Cedar Lane Park Site Guide.
Centennial Park
This park has four entrances. More information in Centennial Parkl Site Guide. eBird calls the hotspot “Centennial Lake.”
Daniels Road
Minimally improved area of Patapsco Valley State Park. More information in Daniels Road Site Guide.
David Force Park
Undeveloped park off Pebble Beach Drive or Turf Valley Road. More information in David Force Park Site Guide.
Dorsey’s Search Loop Trail
Off Columbia Road near Rams Horn Row. From this point it is possible to enter either the Gwynn Acres Path on the east side of the road or Plumtree Path on the west side of the road. Both are called “Dorsey’s Search Loop Trail” on the Google map and as an eBird hotspot.
Elkhorn Garden Plots
On Oakland Mills Road. Previous name Oakland Mills Garden Plots. More information in Elkhorn Garden Plots Site Guide.
Elliott Road Pond
East of the intersection of Highland and Triadelphia Mill Roads but more accessible from Elliott Drive.
Fulton Pond
Off MD 216 (Scaggsville Road). Park in the Fulton post office parking lot or in the small shopping center. Walk back along the heavily traveled road with caution. DO NOT stop on MD 216 or in the farm driveway
Font Hill Wetland Park
Easiest access is from Font Hill Drive. More information in Font Hill Wetland Park Site Guide.
Gorman Stream Valley Natural Resource Area
North section is accessible from Eden Brook Drive (Columbia Open Space). South section is accessible from Johns Hopkins/Gorman Road north on Gorman to Kindler Road (Department of Recreation and Parks open space). More information in Gorman Stream Valley Natural Resource Area Site Guide.
Gwynn Acres Path
Off Columbia Road near Rams Horn Row. From this point it is possible to enter either the Gwynn Acres Path on the east side of the road or Plumtree Path on the west side of the road. Both are called “Dorsey’s Search Loop” on the Google map. More information in Gwynn Acres Path Site Guide.
Haviland Mill Park
This park has a parking lot and improved trail down to the Patuxent River.
Henryton Road
Unimproved section of Patapsco Valley State Park. Restricted parking. More information in Henryton Road Site Guide
High Ridge Park
Off Old Scaggsville Road and Superior Avenue. More information in High Ridge Park Site Guide.
Hipsely Mill Road
Unimproved section of Patuxent River State Park. More information in Hipsley Hill Site Guide.
Hollofield
Part of Patapsco Valley State Park on US 40 (Baltimore National Pike about 2.0 miles east of US 29, close to the Baltimore County line. More information in Hollofield Site Guide.
Howard Chapel Road
Unimproved section of Patuxent River State Park. More information in Howard Chapel Site Guide.
Hugg-Thomas Wildlife Management Area
A prominent sign in the parking lot warns that “hunting or trespassing is by permit only,” but birders may use it except during the hunting seasons. More information in Hugg-Thomas WMA Site Guide.
Iager Boulevard Ponds, Fulton.
Shows where to park and walking directions to ponds.
Jackson Pond (Columbia).
Columbia open space. There are a few picnic tables; no other facilities. More information in Jackson Pond Site Guide.
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) Pond
Restricted area.
Lake Elkhorn/Forebay Pond (Columbia)
Columbia Open Space. Forebay Pond is at the east end. More information in Lake Elkhorn/Forebay Pond Site Guide.
Lake Kittamaqundi (Columbia)
Columbia open space. More information in Lake Kittamaqundi Site Guide.
Lime Kiln Road Pond
Park on Reservoir Road facing the pond. More information in Patuxent Branch Trail Site Guide.
Long Corner Road
Unimproved section of Patuxent River State Park with access from a dirt parking lot. More information in Long Corner Site Guide.
Marriottsville Road
Unimproved section of Patapsco Valley State Park. Do not park south of the railroad tracks—it is private land. More information in Marriottsville Road Site Guide.
Meadowbrook Park
Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. More information in Meadowbrook Park Site Guide.
Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA)
Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. Main section is off Trotter Road. Unimproved section access is off South Wind Circle. More information in Middle Patuxent Environmental Area Trail Site Guide.
Mount Pleasant (Howard County Conservancy)
Private property with public access. More information in Mount Pleasant Site Guide.
Mullinix Mill Road parking
Pauxent River State Park
Nichol’s Quarry Pond
Very liimited viewing access off Brighton Dam Road or Springdale Road (which is restricted). More information in Patuxent Branch Trail Site Guide.
Old Frederick Road (at Patapsco River)
Just after crossing the railroad tracks and before crossing the river, turn right into a gravel parking area. More information in Old Frederick Site Guide.
Patuxent Branch Trail
North end at Guilford Road. More information in Patuxent Branch Trail Site Guide.
Patuxent River State Park
The park is on both the Montgomery and Howard county sides of the Patuxent River north of Triadelphia Reservoir. Access is from roads crossing the river (as related below). Access is described from Howard Chapel Road to Long Corner Road. Directions from Montgomery County are from Damascus Road west of Sunshine and east of Damascus (MD 650 and MD 108). From eastern Montgomery County and Howard county, access to Damascus Road is from MD 108 (Ashton Road/Clarksville Pike). In Ashton, take New Hampshire Avenue (MD 650) north past Brighton Dam Road. Alternatively, take Brighton Dam Road south out of Howard County into Montgomery County to the intersection with MD 650; turn right. At Sunshine, MD 650 changes from New Hampshire Avenue to Damascus Road; stay on MD 650. Directions, in some cases, are also given from I-70 in northern Howard County. Trail indications are for Howard County unless otherwise specified. More information in Patuxent River State Park Site Guide.
Patapsco Valley State Park
Patapsco Valley State Park extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River, encompassing 14,000 acres and five developed recreational areas. Recreational opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback and mountain bike trails, as well as picnicking for individuals or large groups in the park’s many popular pavilions. Several of these areas are accessible from Howard County. More information in Patapsco Valley State Park Site Guide.
Pig Tail Recreation Area
On Triadelphia Reservoir. More information in Pig Tail Recreation Area Site Guide.
Plumtree Path
Off Columbia Road near Rams Horn Row. From this point it is possible to enter either the Gwynn Acres Path on the east side of the road or Plumtree Path on the west side of the road. Both are called “Dorsey’s Search Loop” on the Google map. More information in Plumtree Path Site Guide.
Poplar Springs Park
Small Department of Recreation and Parks site. More information in Poplar Springs Park Site Guide.
Race Road Wetlands
Undeveloped section of Patapsco Valley State Park and some private land. . More information in Race Road Wetlands Site Guide.
REI Pond
North of the REI Columbia parking lot (off Dobbin Road).
Rockburn Branch Park
Rockburn Branch Park has two entrances. More information in Rockburn Branch Park Site Guide.
T. Howard Duckett Reservoir
The T. Howard Duckett Reservoir, created by the construction of the Rocky Gorge Dam, is 9.5 miles long, encompasses more than 800 acres of water and is 120 feet deep.
Savage Park
Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. More information in Savage Park Site Guide.
Savage Mill Trail
Minimally developed section of Savage Park. More information in Savage Mill Trail Site Guide.
Schooley Mill Park
Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. More information in Schooley Mill Park Site Guide.
Scotts Cove Recreation Area
Part of T. Duckett Reservoir (WSSC). More information in Scotts Cove Recreation Area Site Guide.
Sewells Orchard Park
Department of Recreation and Parks neighrhood park. More information in Sewells Orchard Park Site Guide.
Skywatch
More information at Chandler S. Robbins Skywatch at Mount Pleasant (Howard County Conservancy); great views of migrating raptors.
Stanford Boulevard Pond
West of Stanford Boulevard in Columbia.
Sykesville/River Road
Undeveloped section of Patapsco Valley State Park. More information in Sykesville/River Road Site Guide.
Triadelphia Lake Road
Part of Triadelphia Reservoir (WSSC).
Vantage Point Road
Adjacent to Lake Kittamaqundi (which also see)
Warfields Pond Park
Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. More information in Warfields Pond Park Site Guide.
Waterford Flats
Restricted access. More information in Waterford Flats.
Waverly Pond
West of the intersection of Old Frederich Road (MD 99) and west entrance to Dorchester Way.
West Friendship Park
Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. The park is the home of the Howard County Antique Farm Machinery Club. More information in West Friendship Park Site Guide.
Western Regional Park
Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. More information in Western Regional Park Site Guide.
Wilde Lake
Columbia Association open space. More information in Wilde Lake Site Guide.
Willow Green Pond
Northeast of Marriottsville Road and Willow Green Way.
Wincopin Trail
Minimally developed section of Savage Park. More information in Wiincopin Trail Site Guide.
Woodstock Road
Undeveloped section of Patapsco Valley State Park. More information in Woodstock Road Site Guide.